Article brought to you by: Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

'Mad' Islamic Terrorist now eats his food through a straw

A terrorist who uses hooks for hands will not have them returned, instead US prison officials will provide him with prosthetic hands as he awaits trial on terror charges. Abu Hamza, a known Al Qaeda operative, allegedly attempted to open a terrorist training camp in Oregon and helped to coordinate the kidnapping of tourists in Yemen. He is also charged with organizing terror activities in Afghanistan.

NEW YORK, NY (Catholic Online) - Abu Hamza is being held in a supermax facility in Manhattan while he awaits trial on terrorism charges. Meanwhile, the metal hooks he uses for hands have been taken away as a security risk.

Hamza appeared in court yesterday showing only his stumps.

Hamza lost his hands when a Soviet mine exploded n Afghanistan in the 80's. Since then he has used metal hooks in place of his hands. His handicap hasn't prevented him from organizing terror activity however. Hamza was recently extradited to the US from Britian after being detained there for organizing the kidnapping of tourists in Yemen including an Australian and three Britons. Hamza fought the extradition charges to the US for eight years.

While in British jail, he was allowed to keep his hooks and his cell was specially fitted to permit their use. However, in the US, prison officials quickly deemed them a risk and took them away. They are planning to equip Hamza with prosthetic hands that will allow him to perform basic tasks. In the meantime, he is occasionally given his hooks back, according to officials, but for the most part he is not allowed to have them.

Taxpayers are outraged at the expense of the new hands, which reportedly will cost some $19,000 to make. The hands will be specially fitted to Hamza and operated by cables. However, prison officials contend they are doing only what is routine in such cases, adding that the hooks are a security risk and must be taken away.

Meanwhile without hooks or hands, Abu Hamza is being forced to eat through a straw. Prison officials are not going to feed him, so he has no choice but to consume his food, blended.

Abu Hamza may spend several months before he finally faces trial because prosecutors say they have 8,500 documents, four hard drives, and 24 DVDs of evidence against him.

The preliminary trial date is August 26, 2013.

Abu Hamza is one of several people recently extradited from Britain to face terror charges. It is likely that if he is convicted, he will serve the rest of his life in prison.